Waco siege

The Waco siege occurred from 28 February to 19 April 1993 when hundreds of ATF and FBI agents and Texas Rangers besieged the Branch Davidians compound in Waco, Texas while trying to arrest David Koresh for physically abusing children and taking child brides. The Branch Davidians were also suspected of stockpiling illegal weapons at their stronghold. The ATF attempted to raid the ranch on 28 February 1993, but four ATF agents and six Branch Davidians were killed in the ensuing shootout. The FBI then arrived and initiated a 51-day siege, and the FBI eventually launched an assault under the cover of tear gas. During the attack, the Branch Davidians set their own compound on fire, while Koresh shot himself; 76 Branch Davidians died in the fire. A total of 82 Branch Davidians were killed, while 4 ATF agents were killed and 16 wounded. The Waco siege and the previous Ruby Ridge standoff increased right-wing anger at a strong central government, and they motivated the Oklahoma City bombing of 1996.